Since Ryan Giggs took charge of the Welsh national team in January 2018, the former Manchester United winger has brought in a number of new faces into the squad.
Due to the great work of the previous manager, Chris Coleman, there was already a solid platform on which Welsh football could build.
However, Giggs has appreciated that star talents such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey won’t be around forever and that a supply line of young talent had to be ready to supplement the senior players in his squad.
It was, therefore, no surprise to see that, in Wales’ emphatic 4-1 win over the Republic of Ireland on Thursday, Giggs gave competitive international debuts to six players under the age of 23.
At Squawka, we’ve taken a look at the young players who featured in that impressive result, as well as some of the other Welsh wonderkids who are building a bright future for the Dragons.
1. Ethan Ampadu
Age: 17
Club: Chelsea
Position: Defensive midfielder/centre-back
Caps: 3
Considering Ampadu made his competitive debut for hometown club, Exeter City, at just 15 years old, it comes as no surprise that the now-Chelsea youngster is at the very forefront of Ryan Giggs’ plans.
He put in a superb man-of-the-match performance on his competitive debut against the Republic of Ireland, outmuscling Jonathan Walters to set up Aaron Ramsey’s goal. Having already made seven first-team appearances for Chelsea last season under Antonio Conte, Ampadu has sent a message to Maurizio Sarri about his plans to break into the first-team at Stamford Bridge this year.
Ethan Ampadu bossing it
pic.twitter.com/9rKEU3zE2a
— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) September 6, 2018
2. Ben Woodburn
Age: 18
Club: Sheffield United (on loan from Liverpool)
Position: Forward
Caps: 7
One of the most talked-about players from this crop of young talents, Ben Woodburn already has seven caps and one goal for the Welsh senior side.
Woodburn also has 11 appearances for the Liverpool first-team under his belt and a season on loan with Championship side Sheffield United will do his development absolutely no harm.
3. Matthew Smith
Age: 18
Club: FC Twente (on loan from Manchester City)
Position: Midfielder
Caps: 2
Following the path of so many talented Premier League youngsters, Matthew Smith is currently on loan in Holland with FC Twente.
The 2010 Eredivisie winners suffered a shock relegation last season and will play this campaign in the Dutch second tier – Smith has already made three appearances for the Tukkers, earning him his international call-up, and he made his competitive debut for Wales by replacing Ethan Ampadu on 67 minutes against the Republic of Ireland.
4. Tyler Roberts
Age: 19
Club: Leeds United
Position: Striker/winger
Caps: 1
Tyler Roberts had the honour of replacing Gareth Bale in Wales’ win over the Republic of Ireland, picking up his first senior cap in the process.
Tricky, fast and with an eye for goal, Roberts already has 57 first-team games under his belt domestically, bagging 11 goals in the process, and moved to Leeds United in January 2018 for a fee that could rise to £4 million. Both he and Ryan Giggs must have been jumping for joy when they saw Marcelo Bielsa walk through the managerial door at Elland Road.
Very proud moment for me and my family last night making my senior debut for wales! A dream i can finally say I’ve lived!! Thanks for everyones support and the amazing fans last night
❤️ pic.twitter.com/WMZwieiGkv
— Tyler Roberts (@official_tyro) September 7, 2018
5. Chris Mepham
Age: 20
Club: Brentford
Position: Centre-back
Caps: 3
Standing at 6 ft 3 inches tall, Chris Mepham definitely comes under the category of ‘domineering centre-back’.
After being released by Chelsea at 14-years-old, Mepham was picked up by Brentford and had a breakthrough season with the Bees last term, making 23 first-team appearances. He made his Wales debut in March 2018, playing in the China Cup, and played the full 90 minutes in his competitive debut against the Republic of Ireland.
6. David Brooks
Age: 21
Club: Bournemouth
Position: Midfielder
Caps: 4
Born in Warrington, David Brooks opted to play for Wales via his mother’s heritage.
That appears to be a very wise move with Brooks already picking up four caps for the senior side since making his debut against France in November 2017. The regular Premier League football this talented midfield playmaker is now receiving since his £10 million move to Bournemouth should ensure he becomes one of the cornerstones of the Wales side for years to come.
7. Connor Roberts
Age: 22
Club: Swansea City
Position: Right-back
Caps: 3
Connor Roberts’ competitive debut for Wales couldn’t have gone much better – a full 90-minute appearance in a 4-1 win, with Roberts rounding off the scoring for the Dragons in the 55th minute.
As a result of various loan spells, Roberts already has 80 first-team club appearances under his belt and has now made the right-back spot his own at Championship side Swansea City.
Incredible scenes! @ConnorRobs gets on the scoresheet.
4-0
#WALIRL
— Wales
8. Harry Wilson
Age: 21
Club: Derby County (on loan from Liverpool)
Position: Winger
Caps: 4
Harry Wilson actually made his Wales debut back in 2013, aged just 16 years, 6 months and 23 days old. That made the Wrexham-born winger Wales’ youngest ever senior player, beating the record of none other than Gareth Bale, and he subsequently became Liverpool’s youngest international footballer.
Since then, Wilson has only made one first-team appearance for the Reds but seven goals in 14 games on loan at Hull City last season has more than impressed, even winning his place back in the Wales squad. Wilson is now on loan at Frank Lampard’s Derby County, who are fourth in the Championship.
The post Eight Wales wonderkids you need to know about appeared first on Squawka News.
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